Portret van Henri II de Bourbon-Condé 1745 - 1765

This is René Gaillard’s engraving of Henry II de Bourbon, a member of the House of Bourbon, the ruling royal house of France in the 18th century. Engravings like this one circulated widely during the 1700s, a period defined by the rigid social hierarchies of the French Ancien Régime. Gaillard made this portrait to connect Bourbon to a legacy of power, presenting him in armor and finery, symbols of his noble status. However, as we examine Bourbon’s expression, we might ask ourselves what price was paid for his position. What was his relationship to the commoners over whom he had power? In what ways did his gender and class shape his worldview? This engraving invites us to consider the costs of social hierarchy, as well as to reflect on the humanity of those who occupied even the highest rungs of the social ladder.